Power of Volunteerism: Q&A With Colorado College Coach Anne Goodman James

With over four decades of collegiate coaching experience, Anne Goodman James of Colorado College has carried on a strong tradition of volunteerism with her student-athletes. These service opportunities have positively impacted both the team and the community they serve. Through these powerful projects, student-athletes find a sense of purpose and fulfillment.

CREDENTIALS

Texas Tech, B.A, 1975
Head Coach, Colorado College, 2006-present
44 years as a collegiate head coach across all three NCAA Divisions
Has coached 29 Individual NCAA National Champions, 97 All-Americans and three Olympians
Nine-time Conference Coach of the Year

Q. SWIMMING WORLD: What are some of the volunteer opportunities you have taken advantage of for your program?

A. COACH ANNE GOODMAN JAMES: Every year we pick up several weeks worth of free swimming lessons for underprivileged youth. We work with one of the community after school programs that bring those kids to our pool. We also do annual clinics with Special Olympians. We have also participated in a leadership/mentoring program with elementary students. This year the team worked with other women athletes in the department to start a new program, “Tiger Girls Play.” This program basically encourages young elementary girls to be active and play (sports) but it got shut down right when it was about to start. We’re going to do this program in the fall. “Tiger Girls Play” is based on the Bay Area Women’s Sports Initiative (BAWSI) that began in the San Francisco area doing the same types of things for young girls.

SW: What are some leadership qualities that can be developed in student-athletes through volunteering?

AGJ: One way our student-athletes grow in terms of leadership is through the organization of these volunteer opportunities. I do not organize any of them as I find it important not to force this upon them. The level of interest and involvement really determines what one can get out of these volunteering situations. For example, we have a swimming lesson program that was started eight years ago by a swimmer, with those reins being passed onto new swimmers whenever the leader graduates. Swimmers have really embraced it, continuing to work with these kids with a lot of different constituencies. Being able to coordinate with the public, fellow teammates, and myself to figure out schedules, transportation, etc. is definitely a leadership skill that swimmers will develop. Whether coordinating these programs or contributing in any way at all, swimmers can become productive leaders.

SW: Have you seen swimmers grow personally through volunteering activities?

AGJ: There is definitely a development of a sense of gratitude and appreciation for what one has when they see what others need. When you talk to people who have been involved in any of these programs, they will tell you just how much the interactions have changed them and the way they look at the world. Being able to connect with parts of the world outside of what they are normally involved in is especially empowering for our student-athletes.

SW: Have you seen your team receive external benefits from volunteering activities?

AGJ: Many of our students at Colorado College have grown up in an environment doing community service. Recruits often will ask what kind of things the team is involved in as they want to continue aspects of their lives. Learning more about what we do both in and outside of the pool can certainly help their decision.

SW: What challenges/obstacles can come up while seeking out new volunteer opportunities?

AGJ: The biggest challenge student-athletes have is finding the time to make these service opportunities a reality. It is especially challenging to maintain a consistent schedule as schedules are continually changing. Whether it is due to classes or other miscellaneous commitments that arise, it can certainly be a challenge for our student-athletes to make time for volunteer opportunities.

SW: Obviously, volunteer work can have a massive impact on any given community. Any powerful moments?

AGJ: Watching the team at work with the Special Olympians in our clinic every year is always wonderful. Seeing the smiles from both sides, as well as the mutual appreciation the Special Olympians and our student-athletes have for each other is just great. Our team was actually going to go watch the Special Olympics championship meet shortly after the clinic happened, but with the COVID-19 outbreak, it got canceled.

SW: In what ways can volunteer work positively affect team bonds?

AGJ: It is certainly one aspect of building a strong team. Having had a great experience myself through community service when I swam, I want to share that with others when they come through college. Having a connected team that is so supportive of each other, whether pushing through a hard set, being resilient during this time of uncertainty, or working with people who are less fortunate than themselves, is critical to a team’s development.

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